He grew up in a Lutheran household in Albany's third ward where his father was a blacksmith.

In June 1696, "Burker Mynderts" was admitted to the freemanship of New York and was identified as a blacksmith. In 1704, he was still living in New York when he was identified as the son and heir of his father.

Perhaps his wife was Elizabeth Meyer - the mother of several children who appear to have lived south of Albany County.

The name of Burger Van Iveren does not appear in the early Albany community record.